The Pope accepts the resignation of the Mexican bishop who said “wearing masks is not trusting God”

The Pope Francisco accepted the resignation as bishop of the Mexico City of Victoria from Monsignor Antonio González Sánchez, who had generated controversy by saying that “wearing face masks (masks) is not trusting God”.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by the press office of the Holy See, which did not specify the reasons for the resignation.

Mgr Sánchez, born in September 1943, who resigned two years before the age limit, generated controversy last February by assuring during a religious ceremony that the use of a mask to protect oneself from the coronavirus is equivalent to “don’t trust God”.

During the ceremony, Gonzalez Sanchez He indicated that although he recognizes that the use of the mask is necessary for the entire population to prevent the spread of the virus, he nonetheless considers that its use casts doubt on the trust that one has in God.

The 84-year-old Argentine pope, who at the beginning of the pandemic 13 months ago was reluctant to use the mask, became his defender, complying with the obligation to use it both indoors and outdoors throughout the Italian territory.

“If all of us, as good citizens, comply with the provisions of the authorities, this will help to end this pandemic”, explained the pontiff last year.

Francisco, who this year was vaccinated against COVID-19, traveled to Iraq in early March with a group of more than 70 journalists, who also received the vaccine.

Despite this, the head of the Catholic Church wore a mask throughout the flight and kept it to go down the stairs to the runway, although he took it off later, as well as on other public occasions.